‘SINS OF THE FATHER‘ (TNG)
Please feel free to comment on my review.
This ‘Star Trek: TNG’ episode begins a story arc for Worf’s character. It’s an intriguing story arc as the episode ends on a note where Worf continues his Klingon existence with disgrace from his own kind.
The episode begins where the Enterprise take part in another Federation-Klingon officer exchange program. This is similar to what Commander Riker went through in the episode, ‘A Matter of Honor’.
The Klingon officer they receive is Tony Todd who makes his first appearance as Commander Kurn. Kurn requested to be aboard the Enterprise as the ship’s first officer where he takes over from Riker.
Now for a while, this episode starts off as what you’d expect from ‘A Matter of Honor’. It begins with Kurn adapting to life aboard the Enterprise ship and his Klingon command style aggravates everyone.
But it soon turns out that Kurn has an ulterior motive for being aboard the Enterprise. That motive is of course Worf. As well as aggravating the Enterprise crew, Kurn somehow aggravates Worf as well.
Worf confronts Kurn in his quarters as he demands to know what’s going on. Kurn’s attitude angers Worf since he feels disrespect for being a Klingon. Worf almost fights it out with Kurn in his quarters.
It then gets revealed that Kurn is Worf’s younger brother. This is a shock to Worf as it was for me. I didn’t expect Worf to have a brother and it’s interesting why Kurn felt then need to disguise himself.
It was interesting how Kurn reveals his history on how he managed to escape the Khitomer colony that was attacked by Romulans. Kurn also informs Worf that their father has been branded a traitor.
It turns out that Worf and Kurn’s father, Mogh, has been accused for affiliating with the Romulans during the Khitomer attack. This accusation has been charged by Duras and the Klingon High Council.
Worf is understandably angered by this and he requests for an urgent leave of absence to defend his father’s honour from Captain Picard. Picard however decides for the Enterprise to accompany Worf.
Picard believes that Worf’s actions as a Starfleet officer in his father’s defence will be significant for the interests of the Federation. This is due to Starfleet being involved during the Khitomer incident.
The episode gives ‘Star Trek’ fans a chance to see the Klingon home world of Qo’noS for the first time. I was pleased we got to see what the Kingons’ home world was like in this ‘Star Trek: TNG’ tale.
Worf is joined by Kurn as his Cha’Dlch, a second to stand during Worf’s challenge to the High Council, as well as Picard and Riker. They face the High Council who aren’t happy to see Worf return to them.
Patrick Massett guest stars as Duras, the Klingon prosecutor who accuses Worf’s father, Mogh, for allying with the Klingons. It’s so clear there’s a bitter rivalry between Worf and Duras in this episode.
There’s also Charles Cooper as K’mpec, the aging Klingon Chancellor. K’mpec calls Worf aside in private and asks him to drop the challenge and return to the Federation. This puzzles Worf very much.
And there’s Thelma Lee as Kahlest, Worf’s former nurse who Picard looks for to give a testimony of evidence to defend Worf. Kahlest is reluctant to give evidence and she also finds K’mpec to be fat. 😀
Kuras gets wounded by Duras’ Klingon who he’s offered to betray Worf. After this occurs, Worf asks Picard to take his place to which he accepts. Picard is very useful in finding evidence to defend Worf.
It soon turns out that Duras’ father was the real traitor behind the Khitomer massacre. But Duras is able to get away with since he has a powerful family and K’mpec and the Klingon council are corrupt.
I did find the Klingon politics baffling and unusual when I originally watched this episode. I still don’t understand it to this day and it’s interesting how Worf’s situation does not get resolved in this story.
At the end, Worf accepts a discommendation which admits his father’s guilt. But Worf is determined to expose Duras’ treachery someday as every Klingon of the council turns away from him in disgrace.
‘Sins of the Father’ is what I consider to be an interesting beginning to a story arc for Worf’s character. Will Worf have his Klingon honour restored to him? Will he prove Duras is the real traitor?
‘Sins of the Father’ rating – 8/10
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